Old Loughtonians’ men and women both went up against their respective league leaders last weekend and endured frustrating afternoons.

Loughts ladies were forced to share the spoils with table toppers Harleston Magpies as they played out a 1-1 home draw in the Women’s Hockey League East Conference.

The visitors had the best of the early exchanges and came close to opening the scoring but were denied by a late reaction save from Loughts goalkeeper Becky Duggan.

Loughts grew into the game however and almost scored themselves when Katie Richards followed in Lauren Penny’s well-struck corner but hit the post and the danger was cleared.

The game continued to make its way from end to end until the 24th minute when Richards found the target after a well executed corner routine to put the home side one up.

The second half was as frantic as the first and Emma Lee Smith got the Magpies back on level terms with a goal the Loughts defence believed deflected off several feet on its way to the back of the net.

The umpires ruled in the hosts’ favour later on though as a Magpies goal was ruled out before Smith was sent off for a second yellow card.

Loughts tried to capitalize on their numerical advantage but were unable to steal the win and the Magpies held on for a point.

The draw sees Loughts climb to sixth in the table, still adrift of the title challengers.

Old Loughtonians men were left equally frustrated as they suffered a 3-1 reverse at the hands of title hopefuls Wimbledon.

With confidence brimming from recent victories, Loughts started the game well and took the lead in the third minute when Josh Mepham finished after Ali Bray made a penetrative run into the opponents’ D.

The lead last less than five minutes however as a Wimbledon cross was deflected into the Loughts goal, with Bray this time at fault.

Excellent hockey was played by both sides before the break but it was Wimbledon who took a 2-1 lead as Ben Hawes struck low and hard into the net.

Wimbledon secured victory in the second period after a well-worked penalty corner and Loughts’ misery increased when Adnan Zakir was shown a red card late on.

Loughts’ next match is against Indian Gymkhana on November 11.